Washington Supreme Court hearing school case

By Associated Press
Jun 27, 2011

The Washington Supreme Court hears oral arguments Tuesday in a lawsuit filed against the state by a coalition of school districts, teachers and community groups who say the state is failing in its constitutional duty toward public school children.

A superior court judge ruled in February 2010 that the state is not fully paying for basic education. The state has appealed.

Washington uses sales, business and state property taxes to pay about 72 percent of what it costs to educate Washington's 1 million school children in kindergarten through 12th grade. Another 16 percent comes from local levies and 9 percent comes from federal dollars, primarily for education of special-needs children.

About 41 percent of the state's general fund is allocated for K-12 public education.